Air Force general assassinated in Damascus: Syrian state TV

DAMASCUS A--Syrian Air Force general has been assassinated in northern Damascus, state television said on Tuesday, blaming the killing on "terrorist groups."

"As part of their campaign to target national personalities and scientists, armed terrorist groups assassinated Air Force General Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi in the Damascus district of Rukn al-Din," the broadcaster said, without providing further details.

The general was a member of the Syrian Air Force command, a security source in Damascus told AFP on condition of anonymity.

He was shot dead on Monday evening as he left a friend's home, the source added.

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad routinely refers to rebels fighting to overthrow it as terrorists.

Since late July, Air Force fighter jets and helicopters have played a key role in the war against rebels.